The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-09-14
BEFRIENDED BY JEFF DAVIS.
A Man who Holds Ex-President Davis In
Grateful Memory.
Washington Starl

A Man who Holds Ex-President Davis In
Grateful Memory.
Washington Start
Mr.. John w. Smith, an old resident of
Washington, chatting with Star reporter
the other day, remarked: II was the first
Waterman appointed on the extension of
the Capitol, and it was through the instru-
mentality of JEFF Davis" The reporter ex-
pressed some interest as to how he came to
know JEFF Davis, aud Mr.. Smith said:
"Ihe way that came to secure the posi-
ton is somewhat curious. It was upon q
winter night and the last cent in my pos
session had been expended in obtaining
some medicine for my child,
who was i'll with group. AS was walk
ing along my foot struck some
thing soft, and picking it up, / discovered
it to be ladys handkerchief. StuffIng it
in my pocket walked on until / came to
q shop of an old friend of mine, and, going
in, pulled out the handkerchief, and found
it to be Of fine texture and workmanship.
Not yet fully appreciatiDg its value, aud
hating to 60 home penniless, l offered 1t to
him for a quarter. he said. NO, Smith,
you had better take it home but did not
want it. / was very thankful afterward,
however that did not sell ii, las it was worth
$50. Upon reaching home my wife and
inspected it, and found in>the corner the
words, Mrs. Jefferson Davis 1t appeared
that Mrs. Davis and her husband resided in
the house adjoining the place where was
doing business. One of my daughters.
being sent in with the handkerchief
the following morning, was met at
the door by Mrs. Davis. herself, who i'm
medIately retained with the child 10 our
house, and remained there two hours. Up
on leaving she said to me: Why don't
you get place under the government?
You will never be able to raise all these
children 1 told her that 1 had tried, and
that one had to get a man showed out to
get one in, and for this reason would not
accept position. Said She What kind
of place do you want, Mr.. Smith, and 1
told her that il / could get a position in
the Treasury could have every other day
off, and could work at my trade. Before
going she gave the child who brought the
handkerchief three silver dollars, and
few hours later brought me an appoint
ment as Waterman in the Treasury Depart
ment. / desire to say right here that JEFF
Davis was the best friend / ever had, and
in the darkest hour that l ever expert
enced. She handed me the appointment
personally, and smilingly told me
to come and see Jeff.' A short time pre-
vious TO the election of Gen. Taylor l was
conveTsipg with Mr.. Davis, in his room,
when he said: Smith, what is the feeling
about Gen. Taylor's getting the nomina-
tom and / told him that from the drift
of the talk in the city | thought Taylor
would get the nomination. And il he
gets the nominauon,' he rejoined, The will
be elected. Make yourself perfectly easy,
and If you are turned out come to me and
/ will make place for you And it was
not month before / was turned out, and
/ went to him and told him that was out
Thertupon he went to the Commissioner
of Public Buildings and asked him IL ha
Al - u g.
who was Wbig, replied that he did. and
that he had to have two additional men On
the extension But says he, Col
onel, If you want man put on / will
put one on for you now Davis
replied that he did not want to have any
turned out, and forthwith went to the
Senate and drew up q resolution to APP
point two additional watchmen on the ex-
tension of the Capitol. Through the sole
efforts Of Davis that resolution was passed
by the Senate and House Immediately. He
then addressed me letter to carry to Mr..
Mud, Commissioner of Public Buildings
Whom i knew. AS soon as l reached the
Commissioners Office Mudd put the ques-
ton, How did you get acquainted with
Col. Davis? He is one of the best men on
Gods earth And then / recited the affair
of the handkerchief. 1 was under Mr..
Davis care as long as he stayed in the
SENATE nIu WHICH, NC Wcub OOulu lOot my
best friend.
AT one time two of the big guns of the
Democratic party at that time went to sse
Col. Davis to have me turned out. Well,
the messenger that waited on Davis was a
particular friend of mine, and accidentally
overheard the conversation that passed
that morning. AS the visitors entered,
Davis was seated at his desk, doing some
writing. After the usual greetings, one Of
the visitors stated that his business was re-
gardiDg man named Smith, who was en-
ployed as Waterman at the Capitol. Davis
threw his pen on the table and said: Yes
Major, ! know Mr.. Smith; / put him
there Tue other then stated that Smith
was black Republican, and urged Davis
TO withdraw from his support. Said Mr..
Davis: Major, am astonished at you.
/ put him there, and he has as much right
to his political opinions as you have. IL
there is any charge brought against him 1
will have it investigated, and will have
HIM turned out II found guilty" The
visitors withdrew imme diately. Twas ar
ranged before Mr.. Meigs upon six different
occasions, and acquitted each time. Shortly
after the above episode. Mr.. Meigs spoke
to me regarding another charge. But,
Gays be, Smith, Ihave made up my mind
not to notice IL He asked me II / had
any friend who could aid me in such q
matter, and replied that had. The re-
suit was that was also acquitted of this
charge. / continued to hold the position
of Waterman about fifteen years, or until
Davis went South, when was dismissed"